Hospital staff rallies around fired sweeper

Staffers of the Prince Aly Khan Hospital wear black ribbons to protest the firing of a sweeper. (Photo: Asian Age)

Since Tuesday, Class IV staffers from Prince Aly Khan Hospital have been wearing black ribbons in protest of alleged mismanagement on the part of hospital authorities. However, staffers claim that their agitation has proved futile with neither the management nor the police paying any heed to their demands.

Three months ago, a woman sweeper from the hospital named Rama Gignesh Parmer attempted suicide by consuming phenol after being suddenly fired from the job on grounds that “her character was questionable”. A police complaint was filed at Byculla Police Station however no action has been taken so far.

S.S. Makdum, senior police inspector from the police station, who had filed the complaint, told The Asian Age, “As Ms Parmer didn’t die, we can’t take any action against the accused who allegedly forced her to commit suicide. It doesn’t fall under 306 which deals with abetment of suicide. There is nothing to investigate.”

But according to senior advocate-social activist Abha Singh, the police can still investigate into the matter under Section 511 of the Indian Penal Code.

Ms Parmer, who has since been fighting to get back her job as she has two children to feed, said, “When I approached the authority, they said that due to my questionable character, they cannot give me back my job. Who are they to judge my character ” questioned Ms Parmer.

“It is all office politics I was fired from work for withdrawing a sexual harassment case against a hospital union member which I had been forced to register by the opposing union which is run by the hospital authority,” she said. Similarly, another employee from the kitchen department has been suspended without providing adequate reason, alleged staffers.

“Despite repeated efforts, the administration is not paying heed to our plight. Those who oppose are forced to work extra hours or are suspended,” said another staff member. As a mark of protest, staffers have been wearing black ribbons while on duty. However, one of the employees who participated in an internal meeting of the staffers was recently served notice. “One person from the technology department has been given notice and another employee was summoned for discussion by the hospital authority for participating in the meeting,” said a worker.

Repeated attempts to contact the hospital CEO, Hugh Anettee on the phone and via SMS failed.